A Risk Worth Taking

When we speak from conviction, we risk conflict. God grant us grace to speak the truth in love.

"What in me is dark
Illumine, what is low raise and support;
That to the height of this great argument
I may assert eternal Providence,
And justify the ways of God to men."
John Milton, Paradise Lost.

“When principles
That run against your deepest convictions
Begin to win the day,
Then the battle is your calling
And peace has become sin.
You must, at the price of dearest peace
Lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy
With all the fire of your faith.
In short, contemporary idiom,
Clarified and cleansed by the word of God,
Cries out to be reconciled to truth and ultimate meaning!”
Abraham Kuyper, 1837-1920

Free download: http://www.reformationalpublishingproject.com/rpp/index.asp
biography: http://www.opc.org/new_horizons/NH99/NH9901d.html

Romans 12: 14-18
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Wisdom, Love and Fear

"'Charles Williams gave his first lecture at the Divinity School at Oxford on this day in 1940; he spoke on Milton.'
“'I have at last, if only for once, seen a university doing what it was founded to do: teaching wisdom.' C. S. Lewis, describing the second Williams lecture to Warren Lewis." Around the Year with C. S. Lewis and Friends, compiled by Kathryn Lindskoog

“The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.”
― John Milton

Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Amazing Grace
‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace that fear relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear,
The hour I first believed.
 -- John Newton

I have nothing to add.